Israel forces pepper spray Palestinians

Nine Palestinians have been wounded when Israeli forces pepper sprayed worshippers trying to enter the al-Aqsa Mosque Compound in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Witnesses said all of the wounded were elderly Palestinians.

According to local sources, several other worshippers were abducted during the clashes on Friday.

Israeli forces erected barricades around the mosque compound as part of restrictions imposed on Palestinians.

Hundreds of Israeli troops were also deployed to check the identification of worshippers. Only Palestinian men over 50 were allowed to enter the area.

Israeli forces have injured dozens of Palestinians in al-Aqsa Mosque in the past few days.

In recent months, Israeli forces and extremist settlers have stepped up attacks on Palestinians visiting the mosque. This has led to violent confrontations between the two sides.

The Israeli regime has also imposed severe restrictions to prevent Muslim worshippers from entering the mosque.

The new clashes took place amid reports that Israeli officials have unveiled the model of a Jewish temple to be constructed near the compound that reportedly has a big hall and can accommodate hundreds of visitors each day.

The Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage says the move is a direct threat to the mosque.

Palestinian groups have already warned of large-scale Israeli excavations near the southern gate of al-Aqsa.

On February 25, the Israeli parliament, Knesset, discussed a plan to annex the compound, which lies in the Israeli-occupied Old City of al-Quds.

The compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is Islam’s third-holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.